Strawflower, Tall Mixed Colors

Short Description

Double blooms often over 2½" across, freely borne on long, strong stems in a full range of colors.

Full Description

Strawflower is popular for dried bouquets and as fresh cut flowers. This mix with its range of bright vibrant colors will satisfy in spades. GARDEN HINTS: For earlier bloom, start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before planting date. To dry, pick flowers when lower 2-4 rows of petals are just beginning to open. Remove foliage, bunch loosely and hang upside down in a warm, airy place. Cultivate or mulch to control weeds.

Sun
The amount of sunlight this product needs daily in order to perform well in the garden. Full sun means 6 hours of direct sun per day; partial sun means 2-4 hours of direct sun per day; shade means little or no direct sun.

Full Sun

Height
The typical height of this product at maturity.

24-36 inches

Spread
The width of the plant at maturity.

8-10 inches

Ornamental Use
Ways in which the product may be used in the garden for ornamental effect.

Beds, Borders, Cut Flowers

Life Cycle
This refers to whether a plant is an annual, biennial or perennial. Annuals complete their life cycles in one year; biennials produce foliage the first year and bloom and go to seed the second year; perennials can live for more than two years.

Annual

Sow Method
This refers to whether the seed should be sown early indoors and the seedlings transplanted outside later, or if the seed should be sown directly in the garden at the recommended planting time.

As soon as seedlings emerge, provide plenty of light on a sunny windowsill or grow seedlings 3-4 inches beneath fluorescent plant lights turned on 16 hours per day, off for 8 hours at night. Raise the lights as the plants grow taller. Incandescent bulbs will not work for this process because they will get too hot. Most plants require a dark period to grow, do not leave lights on for 24 hours.

Seedlings do not need much fertilizer, feed when they are 3-4 weeks old using a starter solution (half strength of a complete indoor houseplant food) according to manufacturer’s directions.

If you are growing in small cells, you may need to transplant the seedlings to 3 or 4 inch pots when seedlings have at least 2 pairs of true leaves before transplanting to the garden so they have enough room to develop strong roots

Before planting in the garden, seedling plants need to be “hardened off”. Accustom young plants to outdoor conditions by moving them to a sheltered place outside for a week. Be sure to protect them from wind and hot sun at first. If frost threatens at night, cover or bring containers indoors, then take them out again in the morning. This hardening off process toughens the plant’s cell structure and reduces transplant shock and scalding.

Transplanting in the Garden:

Plant in the garden after all danger of frost has passed.

Select a location in full sun in soil that drains well.

Prepare the bed by turning the soil under to a depth of 8 inches. Level with a rake to remove clumps of grass and stones.

ST plants respond well to soils amended with organic matter. Compost is a wonderful form of organic matter with a good balance of nutrients and an ideal pH level, it can be added to your planting area at any time. If compost is not available, top dress the soil after planting with 1-2 inches of organic mulch, which will begin to breakdown into compost. After the growing season, a soil test will indicate what soil amendments are needed for the following season.

Dig a hole for each plant large enough to amply accommodate the root ball.

Place the top of the root ball even with the level of the surrounding soil. Fill with soil to the top of the root ball. Press soil down firmly with your hand leaving a slight depression around the plant to hold water.

Water thoroughly, so that a puddle forms in the saucer you have created. This settles the plants in, drives out air pockets and results in good root-to-soil contact.

Sowing Directly in the Garden:

Direct sow in well-drained soil and full sun after danger of frost.

Remove weeds and work organic matter into the top 6-8 inches of soil; then level and smooth.

Most plants respond well to soils amended with organic matter. Compost is a wonderful form of organic matter with a good balance of nutrients and an ideal pH level, it can be added to your planting area at any time. If compost is not available, top dress the soil after planting with 1-2 inches of organic mulch, which will begin to breakdown into compost. After the growing season, a soil test will indicate what soil amendments are needed for the following season.

Keep weeds under control during the growing season. Weeds compete with plants for water, space and nutrients, so control them by either cultivating often or use a mulch to prevent their seeds from germinating.

Mulches also help retain soil moisture and maintain even soil temperatures. For annuals an organic mulch of shredded leaves lends a natural look to the bed and will improve the soil as it breaks down in time. Always keep mulches off a plant’s stems to prevent possible rot.

Plants need about 1 inch of rain per week during the growing season. Use a rain gauge to check to see if you need to add water. It's best to water with a drip or trickle system that delivers water at low pressure at the soil level. If you water with overhead sprinklers, water early in the day so the foliage has time to dry off before evening, to minimize disease problems. Keep the soil moist but not saturated.

Until plants become established, some protection from extreme winds and direct, hot sunlight may be necessary. Good air movement is also important.

After new growth appears, a light fertilizer may be applied. Keep granular fertilizers away from the plant crown and foliage to avoid burn injury. Use low rates of a slow release fertilizer, as higher rates may encourage root rots.

Remove spent flower heads to keep plants flowering until fall.

Monitor for pests and diseases. Check with your local Cooperative Extension Service for pest controls recommended for your area.

Remove plants after they are killed by frost in fall to avoid disease issues the following year.

Generally strawflowers do not require staking or any special maintenance.

Plants are very drought resistant and love heat.

Strawflower is perfect in dried or fresh arrangements.

All strawflowers are useful for adding color to beds and borders.

The dwarf cultivars look great in containers or as edgings.

Product Details

Sun

Full Sun

Height

24-36 inches

Spread

8-10 inches

Ornamental Use

Beds, Borders, Cut Flowers

Life Cycle

Annual

Sow Method

Indoor Sow

Flowering

Yes

Bloom Duration

12 weeks

Flower color

Brown, Pink, Red, White, Yellow

Reviews

Strawflower, Tall Mixed Colors is rated
3.3 out of
5 by
6.

Rated 1 out of
5 by
nogrow from
died before coming upnever made it above ground never buy your seeds again

Date published: 2017-08-19

Rated 1 out of
5 by
Lfogelson from
Did not grow!I purchased these with the intent that they would grow and nothing came up! I've been satisfied with all my other burped purchases besides this one!

Date published: 2017-08-19

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Chria from
Long Lasting BeautiesThis was my first year to grow these flowers. I had never heard of them before and found them interesting. I had no problems with seed germination or growing the plants. The live blooms actually feel like paper. Their bright, pretty colors do not fade after cutting and drying. I've enjoyed using these flowers in wreaths and other crafts.

Date published: 2014-09-17

Rated 3 out of
5 by
NebraskaMan from
Eh.Germinated well. Transplanted easy. Grows tall and fast. HOWEVER: My intent was big, fragrant, colorful cut flowers for my daughter's wedding. The plants were tall but the blossoms were small, tight. No fragrance in the least. I ended up cutting them down to save water, sunlight for my other flowers.

Date published: 2013-07-31

Rated 5 out of
5 by
golfnfool2010 from
Love These FlowersI discovered these flowers a few years ago in IA. Since I've lived there most of my life, I wish I discovered them sooner. I don't know why more flower shops didn't cary them. Maybe because of the different look they give at different times of the day. When I first saw them they were a cute ball of a flower. "Ball", being the key word since most people look for a big bloom. But, I was looking for something different and they were listed as draught resistant and frost reisitant , and likes sun. Sounded good to a person who likes her flowers, but not very good and taking perfect care of her plants and had a sunny spot I was having trouble with flowers. These plants practically grew themselves. And the best part was the different phases they had during the day. When I saw them, they were a cute little ball. Must have been a cloudy day, because in reality, they close up at night, #or low sun#, into a ball, and open into this beautiful flower during the day. The pettles are like straw, #thus the name#, which make the points sharp. But, how often are you worried about touching the flower. So, today, I'm buying seeds, since I haven't been able to find in my area in FL, #where I moved a year ago#, and hope they work just as well.

Date published: 2012-03-12

Rated 5 out of
5 by
fred6301 from
fantasticwe had very good luck with these seeds. they bloomed in the summer and are still blooming here in california into december. we are planning on planting more of these next year.